"I've always loved what I do, from the very beginning. I have always tried to encourage folks from the underrepresented segments of our society to join the ranks of librarianship, as I've always thought we needed more folks of color at every desk we have in this [the library] building... and all across librarianship, for that matter." --Jana Martin, University Librarian, Reference & Instruction, University of South Florida Library

Revision as of 14:12, 29 June 2009

Why do you love what you do as a librarian, and why should someone consider entering the field?

Please share how you would answer the question "So, what do you do?" on a short elevator ride.

Contributions are welcome in text form or as video or sound files.

"I'm a librarian at a large metropolitan university. As an Emerging Technologies Librarian, I do many things and no day is the same as the next. In any given day, I may help individuals with their research, teach a class how to use library resources, work on technology-related projects such as web pages, or analyze statistics to assess library services amongst a myriad of other activities. All this presents me with opportunities to learn new things, which is what makes librarianship so great. I have always loved learning and this is valued greatly in libraries. With all the information that is available today, there is no shortage of new things to learn. Librarians play an important role in organizing and making information accessible to everyone."
--David Dahl, Emerging Technologies Librarian, Towson University

"I'm a connector. I connect people to information. Sometimes it's in the form of a book or magazine, other times, it's via websites, social networks, media or events. Helping people find the information they want and need is priceless."
--Michelle McKinney, Reference/Instruction Librarian, University of Cincinnati, Raymond Walters College, Cincinnati, OH

“I truly believe that variety is the spice of life and being a Librarian offers me so much variety. Currently, I am a Children’s Librarian and my job varies from moment to moment. Some days I program children’s story times other days I work on publications geared toward adults about children. My programs vary from science to farm animals and it all depends upon what I want to share. I am constantly learning and finding reasons to smile and both are good reasons to stay in the profession. I enjoy learning and helping others to have new experiences related to literacy and learning. I really cannot think of a more perfect career choice than becoming a Librarian. --Kimberly Thompson, Children's Librarian, Kenton County Public Library, Kentucky.

I am a branch manager for a small library. At this level, I'm a jack of all trades. No two days are the same for me. Some days I'm primarily in my office, and others I'm working at the circulation desk helping customers with all types of requests. Then there's the days that I'm away from the library, attending meetings or providing storytimes to kids in a neighborhood head start centers. When I entered this profession, I never imagined I would touch some many people in some many different ways. I wouldn't trade this opportunity for anything!

Librarians don't know everything--they just know where to find everything. I like being in that position. --Anne Abate, Executive Director, SouthWest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries, Southwest Ohio

When I became a librarian three years ago, I had been working at an urban public library for over six years. I have always said working in a library is like a scavenger hunt since you never know what customers are going to ask you when they walk in the front door. Helping people find books, movies, music, and answers to reference questions has always been the fun part of the job. As a librarian you become a “Jack of All Trades” expert and a lifelong learner. If you enjoy using technology and interacting with customers, the library profession is for you.

I no longer work for a public library. I am the Continuing Education Coordinator for SWON Libraries, which is one of four regional library systems in the State of Ohio. I coordinate training for public, academic, school, and special libraries in the southwest Ohio area. Instead of serving the public, I now serve library staff at the libraries in our region. It is a fun and rewarding job, and it makes me appreciate all that libraries have to offer.

“What I like about my job as an academic librarian is the variety of responsibilities. I get to teach, work at reference and provide outreach to the academic community. Not only do I connect people with information, but help make our library an integral part of the overall academic community.” --Diane Fulkerson, Instructional Services Librarian, Ingram Library, University of West Georgia

For more quotes from librarians on why they love their careers, visit the Leadership Lessons website.

"I've always loved what I do, from the very beginning. I have always tried to encourage folks from the underrepresented segments of our society to join the ranks of librarianship, as I've always thought we needed more folks of color at every desk we have in this [the library] building... and all across librarianship, for that matter." --Jana Martin, University Librarian, Reference & Instruction, University of South Florida Library